Born: 1697 in Norwich and Christened in January 1697, St George Colegate, Norwich.  He died in 1773, aged 76 and was buried 31 January in Norwich.
Son of: John Harvey (1666-1742) and his first wife Ann Statham (1668?-1706?).
Brother of:
1. William Harvey (1694-????).
2. Anne Harvey (1699-????).
3. Elizabeth Kirkpatrick (nee Harvey, 1700?-1765) who married Thomas Kirkpatrick.
4. John Harvey (1699-1750).
5. William Harvey (1704-????).
6. Mary Smyth (nee Harvey, 1705-????) who married John Smythe.
Half brother of:
8. Peter Harvey (1709-1751) who married Elizabeth Blyford (1718?-1741).
9. Thomas Harvey (1711-1772) who married Lydia Ives (1718-1805).
10. Samuel Harvey (1712-????) who married Mary (1711-1739).
Robert married: Lydia Harvey nee Black (1699-1759), 22 March 1722, daughter of Capt John Black and Mary Black.
Robert and Lydia had issue:
1. John Harvey (1726-
2. Lydia Harvey (1727-1737).
3. Robert Harvey (1730-1816) who married Judith Onley (1730-1810).
4. Mary Harvey (1734-1735).

Robert Harvey: An Overview

The information I have about Robert Harvey comes from the following sources:

1. Information supplied to me by Carla Woodworth Lynas and based on the 'Original Genealogical Collections, by the late Lieut. Col. Robert John Harvey of Thorpe'.  This is mentioned in a publication called 'Walter Rye, Memoir Bibliography and Catalogue of of his Norfolk Manuscripts in the Norwich Public Libraries' by Geo. A. Stephen published in 1929? by the Public Libraries Committee, Norwich.  Original documents in the Norfolk Archives.
2. Information from various websites on the internet including the website for the Norfolk Museums, Norwich Castle Museum and Art Gallery www.museums.norfolk.gov.uk.
3. The Norwich Churches website
4. His portrait, by Herbert Stoppelaer, sold at Sothebys in 1957. A similar portrait in the Norwich Museum collection  www.museums.norfolk.gov.uk.
5. His portrait is also mentioned in the book 'Portraits in Norfolk Houses' by Prince Frederick Duleep Singh, Vol 2, undated but published around 1928.  Norwich, Holmwood, Thorpe, the property of Col J R Harvey, later moved to Windover, Burlesdon, Hants.  Page 105.  Also page 172,  Rainthorpe Hall, The Property of Sir Charles Harvey Bart, 6th August 1907.

Robert Harvey ran the familiy's worsted business in Norwich where he lived at 18 - 20 Colegate with his wife Lydia. He also owned Catton House. He followed the family tradition of taking public office being Mayor in 1738.  He was renowned for his eccentric dress. He gloried in two pseudonyms the first being the somewhat dubious nickname of "Snuffy Bob," earned for his habit of standing in front of of his Colegate house taking snuff from his waistcoat pocket, and the second the somewhat grander "Father of the City.". Not surprisingly it is the latter which is written on his mural tablet in St Clement Church.

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